Erasmus Experience in Dijon, France by Awuraa Amma

Why did you choose to go to Dijon, France?

It is a quiet and calm city and fees and accommodation were not very high compared to other cities.

What is the student lifestyle like in Dijon?

Very calm with a lot of places to visit including the nearby wine towns like Beaune.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Dijon to other students?

Yes definitely. If you want to experience a quiet aspect of France as well as savour Burgundy wine and learn more about it this is the city for you.

What is the food like?

Every french meal I have tasted in Dijon has been delicious. The food and cheeses are delicasies every international student should try at least once.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Dijon?

For 9 months I lived in CROUS accommodation which was easy to obtain by registering on the CROUS website. It is also easy to find other accommodation using websites such as leboncoin (https://www.leboncoin.fr). Obtaining accommodation is not a difficult task in this city.

How much does it cost to live in Dijon?

Depending on your way of life it can cost you about 200 to 500 euros a month or more (not including rent).

Depending on your type of accommodation rent can be from 120euros to fully furnished appartments of about 800euros or more.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The language is a little difficult to get especially if you rely solely on what you learn in class. Best way to learn the language is bacome friends with any french person. They can easily help you learn the language in a way you aren't taught in a classroom. At the language centre you can also take language courses in spanish, german, mandarin, etc with students who are fluent in those languages.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Dijon from your city?

The easiest and most economical way to travel out of the city is by bus, specifically Flixbus or Ouibus. For instance you can go to Geneva from Dijon using Flixbus for only 9euros.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Dijon?

A lot of good restaurants in the city all based in Darcy. A popular restaurant is Wok Inn which can often get crowded in the evenings so is a good idea to get there before 7pm. At Place de la Liberation and Rue de Forges there are also numerous cafes and bars open all day until about 7pm sometimes 10pm.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Place de la Libération, Lac Kir, Musée de Beaux-Arts[1], Jardin Botanique de L'Arquebuse, Tour Philippe Le Bon, Notre-Dame, Rue des Forges, Parc de la Colombiere, Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne (Museum of Burgundy life), Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne (Dijon Cathedral)[1]

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Dijon in the future?

To register with CAF when you arrive in order to get a subsidy on your rent payment and also to always start a conversation with someone you do not know in french. After saying hello and introducing yourself you can let them know if you are not good in speaking the language. People are more willing to try and speak english if you attempt to speak french with them first. If you start in english often they will say they do not understand you even if they do.